(19)
(11) EP 1 184 147 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
14.05.2003 Bulletin 2003/20

(43) Date of publication A2:
06.03.2002 Bulletin 2002/10

(21) Application number: 01128959.2

(22) Date of filing: 17.05.1996
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7B29B 11/16, B29B 15/12, B29C 70/50
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 18.05.1995 GB 9510046

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
96912185.4 / 0825922

(71) Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
1015 Lausanne (CH)

(72) Inventors:
  • Manson, Jan-Anders
    1071 Chexbres (CH)
  • Bourban, Pierre-Etienne
    1260 Nyon (CH)
  • Bonjour, Francois
    1071 Chexbres (CH)

(74) Representative: Ganguillet, Cyril et al
ABREMA Agence Brevets & Marques Ganguillet & Humphrey Avenue du Théâtre 16 Case postale 2065
1002 Lausanne
1002 Lausanne (CH)

   


(54) Sheet impregnation unit and tow impregnation unit for the manufacture of fiber reinforced products


(57) The sheet impregnation unit comprises at least an impregnation subunit and a preconsolidation subunit, said subunits cooperating for forming a preconsolidated sheet preform able to be delivered to a further manufacturing unit for producing composite products. The impregnation subunit comprises at least a reinforcing material lay-up station (40) and a least a powder lay-up station (40). The preconsolidation subunit comprises an infra-red heater (46) and a press (47). A balance (44) is disposed on a moving support (42) mounted on a rail and arranged to be moved under all said stations.







Search report